Electrical lead and harness manufacturing

ABSTRACT

A tape controlled, measured length of wire is automatically fed from a reel to a position between laterally spaced bench presses and within a pair of transfer arms embracing the wire. The wire is severed and insulation stripped away from the line of severance of both the newly severed lead and the leading end of the wire. Respective transfer arms for the new wire lead and the leading end of the wire rotate the severed and stripped ends to opposite sides of the wire feed line and beneath respective presses. Multiple unit, shiftable electrical terminal applicators are selectively shifted under tape control relative to the line of action of each press to present the selected terminal from one of respective multiple terminal strips to the severed and stripped wire ends with the terminals crimped to the trailing end of the wire lead and the leading end of the wire upon depression of the press rams.

United States Patent [1 1 Brehm et al.

[451 Apr. 2, 1974 ELECTRICAL LEAD AND HARNESS MANUFACTURING [75] Inventors: Ronald Carl Brehm, Carlisle; Earl Eme tmk nmth, H rris r Earl William Wagner, Annville,

all of Pa.

[73] Assignee: AMP Incorporated, Harrisburg, Pa.

22 Filed: May 1, 1972 21 Appl. No.: 249,016

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,019,679 2/1962 Schwalm et al 8l/9.51 3,184,950 5/1965 Sitz 29/203 D Primary Examiner-Thomas H. Eager Attorney, Agent, or FirmFrederick W. Raring; W. .l. Kcating; J. L. Seitchik [57] ABSTRACT A tape controlled, measured length of wire is automatically fed from a reel to a position between laterally spaced bench presses and within a pair of transfer arms embracing the wire. The wire is severed and insulation stripped away from the line of severance of both the newly severed lead and the leading end of the wire. Respective transfer arms for the new wire lead and the leading end of the wire rotate the severed and stripped ends to opposite sides of the wire feed line and beneath respective presses. Multiple unit, shiftable electrical terminal applicators are selectively shifted under tape control relative to the line of action of each press to present the selected terminal from one of respective multiple terminal strips to the severed and stripped wire ends with the terminals crimped to the trailing end of the wire lead and the leading end of the wire upon depression of the press rams.

14 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures Pmmamm 21914 3,800,389

SHEET 8 BF 7 CENTER LINE OF PRESS RAM Q APPLICATOR IOZ APPLICATOR I00 'QAPPI-ICATOR ELECTRICAL LEAD AND HARNESS MANUFACTURING BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention I This invention relates to lead making machines and, more particularly, to a machine in which successive leads may automatically be completed of different lengths and carrying at respective ends, any one of a plurality of terminals in accordance with a prerecorded program.

2. Description of the Prior Art It is common practice to use an electrical terminal applicator in conjunction with a conventional bench press for applying the strip terminals in sequence to bared ends of electrical wires. Such a terminal applicator is illustrated in US. Pat. No. 3,184,950, assigned to the common assignee. However, each applicator can accept only a limited number of types of terminals and when it is desired to change the terminal being applied, it is necessary to remove the reel carrying the terminal strip, mount a reel of new terminals on the press and thread the terminal strip through the applicatorprior to continued use of the machine. Further, it may be necessary to change the applicator itself, depending upon the construction and configuration of the terminals, or to adjust the shut-height setting of theapplicator in terms of the stroke of the bench press ram. Thus, where a relatively large number of different types of terminals are being applied, there is a relatively large amount of shutdown time for the machine which crimps the terminal to the bared conductor ends of the leads.

Further, attempts have been made to more fully automate the manufacture of electrical leads of defined limits. A machine performing that function is illustrated in US. Pat. No. 3,019,679, also assigned to the common assignee. ln machines of this type, a length of wire is fed across a table and between a pair of laterally spaced bench presses, the wire being fed through a pair of spaced and aligned transfer arms, the axial gap between the same carrying a cut and insulation stripping mechanism. After feeding a predetermined length of wire, the wire is severed intermediate of the respective transfer arms, the insulation is stripped in opposite directions from the line of severance on both the end of the wire lead defined by the severed portion and the leading end of the remaining wire from the wire feed reel. Thereafter, the transfer arms pivot in opposite directions to move the severed and stripped ends of the wire lead and the leading end of the wire beneath respective bench presses, and into a position where a terminal applicator automatically places the leading terminal of a terminal strip into a position where the barrel portions of the terminal are crimped respectively to the insulation and conductor portions of the wires. Thereafter, the completed lead is discharged from one transfer arm and the leading end of the new wire carrying its terminal is fed forwardly to define a succeeding lead by the extent of motion permitted by the wire feed mechanism. Thus, in sequence, leads are formed having appropriate terminals at each end thereof.

While machines of the type disclosed in US. Pat. No. 3,019,679 operate satisfactorily, and permit automated, repetitive lead making, the wire feed mechanism providing a variable length lead is mechanical and any change of the length of feed between cycles requires elaborate gear changing procedures. Such changes are achieved manually and, in addition, selectivity in terms of terminal configuration or size of terminal requires changing of the terminal strip supply reel, which changes are limited to the applicators capacity or size acceptance of the individual terminals.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a highly improved machine which is fully automated, is under format control to provide format instructions to the wire feeding apparatus, and to an applicator shifting mechanism for multiple unit applicators at each press location for instantaneously selective cyclic manufacture of a great number of finished leads of varying lengths and having different types of terminals on their ends. This eliminates the necessity of storing multiple identical leads in great numbers within separate bins from which leads must be manually selected and bundled to form a complete harness or portions thereof.

Specifically, the present invention is directed to a lead making machine of the type which includes a wire supply, at least one press including a depressible ram, wire cutting and stripping means, means for feeding a measured length of wire into the wire cutter and stripper means, and transfer means for placing the cut stripped end of the wire beneath the press ram. The basic improvement resides in a plurality of press ram operated terminal applicators movably mounted on the machine in the vicinity of the press, each applicator being capable of presenting a leading terminal of a respective terminal strip in position for crimping of said terminal onto the cut and stripped end of a wire and means for selectively positioning one of the applicators in operatively coupled position with respect to the press ram and in a position to receive the cut and stripped end of the wire.

Automatic format control means are provided for variably controlling the length of wire being fed to the cutting and stripping mechanism to define the length of each lead being cyclically manufactured by the machine and for variably selecting the applicator to be operatively coupled to the press ram. Preferably, the wire measuring, cutting and stripping means and transfer means are in alignment across the top of a horizontal table supporting the vertically oriented press rams on each side of the wire feed path. Feed and eject transfer arms shift the cut and stripped ends of the new lead and the leading end of the remaining wire supply beneath respective press rams. Guide means project upwardly from the fixed bed of each press and a slidable plate is mounted on the guide means for reciprocation along a horizontal path intersecting the center line of the press ram. A plurality of unit terminal applicators are fixedly carried by each reciprocating plate, each applicator including a vertically extending, reciprocable applicator ram, the unit terminal applicators are vertically oriented in side-by-side fashion. A plurality of fluid reciprocating motors operatively associated with each slidable plate selectively position the plates along the horizontal path and thereby automatically couple press ram to the applicator ram of the selected applicator.

The present invention is further directed to the improved unit terminal applicators in which each applicator includes at least one reciprocable crimping die responsive to reciprocation of the applicator ram for crimping a terminal to an electrical lead positioned between the crimping die and a fixed anvil lying beneath the same. A reciprocable feed finger feeds the leading terminal of a terminal strip into a position between the reciprocable die and the anvil in response to lateral shifting of a cam follower slide relative to a cam carried by the reciprocating applicator ram. The improvement resides in first and second slidable links positioned on each side of a reciprocating cam follower slide with a cross link pivotably coupled intermediate of its ends to the cam follower slot and being pin connected at its ends respectively to said sliding links. Adjustable meansfix the position of the first slidable link to define a relatively fixed pivot axis for the cross link. A feed lever is pivotably coupled at one end to a feed finger in contact with the terminal strip and at the other end to the second slidable link. A triangular stroke adjustment plate is pivotably mounted adjacent one of its apices to define a fixed pivot axis for the triangular stroke adjustment plate, and means carried by said plate adjacent another apex pivotably couple the finger feed lever intermediate of its ends to the stroke adjustment plate to define a floating pivot axis for the finger feed lever. A longitudinally shiftable nut movable along a path parallel to the path of motion of the cam follower slide is coupled by means of pin and slot means to the triangular stroke adjustment plate adjacent the third apex. First adjustment means adjusts the longitudinal position of the adjusting nut for changing the length of stroke of the feed finger. Second adjustment means adjust the longitudinal position of the first slidable link to vary the initial start and finish position of the reciprocating feed finger whose stroke length is controlled by the first adjustment means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a top plan, partially schematic view of the improved lead making machine of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of a portion of the machine of FIG. 1 taken about line 2-2, showing a bench press, a multiple unit terminal applicator assembly associated therewith and the means for adjusting the position of the applicators relative to the bench press ram.

FIG. 3 is an elevational view, partially broken away, ofa portion of the machine shown in FIG. 1 illustrating one of the improved unit applicators of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an elevational view of a portion of the machine illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 for selectively shifting the multiple applicators relative to the center line of the press ram.

FIG. 5 is an elevational view, similar to that of FIG. 4, with the ram of the inboard applicator aligned with the center line of the press ram.

FIG. 6 is an elevational view similar to that of FIGS. 4 and 5 with the ram of the center applicator in alignment with the center line of the press ram.

FIG. 7 is an exploded, perspective view of one of the applicators forming a portion of the machine of the present invention with the stroke adjusting plate illustrated in broken lines.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view ofa portion of the machine shown in FIG. 4 taken about line 88.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Turning to the drawings, the principal components of the machine of the present invention are illustrated in conjunction with a rectangular table 10 which constitutes a support for the machine components, including wire supply 12, automatic wire feed and measuring unit 14, eject and feed transfer arms 16 and 18, respectively, cut and strip unit 19, a pair of laterally spaced bench presses 20 and 22, triple shiftable unit applicator assemblies indicated generally at 24 and 26 respectively for presses 20 and 22; each incorporating an applicator shift mechanism indicated generally at 28, and each further operating in conjunction with respective strip terminal supply means 30 and 30'. All of the components of the machine operate in response to tape control mechanism 32 such that a relatively large group of finished leads of varying lengths and having different types of terminals on their ends limited only by the number of applicators for each press 20 and 22 can be manufactured in a completely automated manner, in either multiple series of identical finished leads, or in terms of successive different leads, as desired.

All of the previously mentioned components are under format or program control. Tape reels 34 and 36 have extending between the same, a tape 38 which passes a pick-up or sensing head 40 and based on the information magnetically or otherwise stored on the tape, the machine operates in an automated manner. The employment of tape control to a machine in order to automate the same constitutes a recent trend in the manufacturing arts. Tape control of the automatic wire feed and measuring unit 14 and the triple, shiftable unit applicator assemblies 26 and 28 of the present invention constitute a novel combination with greatly improved results in terms of the elimination of the storage bins normally required when producing multiple leas harnesses wherein the leads of different lengths and containing different terminals at respective ends must be stored in large numbers in separate bins.

In general, the sequence of events occurring in the machine of the present invention may be readily appreciated by viewing FIG. 1. The wire supply or storage means 12 constitutes a reel 50 carrying a given length of insulated wire 52 thereon, the reel being mounted for rotation about its axis on a shaped support arm 54 which is fixed to the table 10 at 56. The insulated wire 52 is fed to an in-line automatic wire feed and measuring unit 14 of the type illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 3,6l2,369, assigned to the common assignee. The measured leading end of the wire 52' is fed through respective transfer arms 16 and 18 and carries at its end, a terminal such as terminal 58 prior to severance and the formation of a defined lead such as completed lead 60 which is illustrated as being discharged from a pair of endless conveyor belts 62, the belts defining a horizontal discharge path between the lower run of the upper belt and the upper run of the lower belt. The belts are supported by pulleys 64 at respective ends. The completed lead 60 is thus provided with a terminal 58 on its leading end and a second possibly different terminal 66 on its trailing end. Terminal 58 is crimped thereon by press 22 and terminal 66 is crimped to the opposite end of lead 60 by press 20. The completed lead is discharged from the narrow trough 68 of table 10, for

movement to a finished lead (bin (not shown) lying beneath the discharge end 70 of the trough.

The cutting and stripping unit 19 which is shown in block form, in F IG. 1, is essentially the same as that employed in U.S. Pat. 3,019,679, while the terminal feed means or supply means for the multiple shiftable applicator unit assemblies 24 and 26 are generally of the type shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,184,950 and also assigned to the common assignee. However, each of the terminal supplies constitutes a plurality of coaxially, side-by-side freely rotatable reels as at 72, 74 and 76, for terminal strip supply 30, and reels 78, 80 and 82 for terminal strip supply 30', the multiple reels being supported for rotation about a common axis by means of supports 84 which are affixed to the table as at 86. It is noted, that each of the reels 72-82 carry terminals in strip form, which terminals are different and are illustrated schematically by means of straight line 88 for reel 76, dotted line 90 for reel 74 a single dot and dash line 92 for reel 72, a series of dashes connected by circles as at 94 for reel 78, two short dash lines separated by a long dash line as at 96 for reel 80, and a long dash line separated by four dots as at 98 for reel 82. Further, the strips of terminalsof either the end-to-end or ladder type may be fed to a common intersecting area with the line of action of the ram of each bench press in similar fashion toU.S. Pat. No. 3,433,398, also assigned to the common assignee. In this respect, triple, shiftable unit applicator assemblies 24 and 26 comprise respectively, applicators 100,102 and 104 associated with press 20, and applicators 106, 108, and 110 associated with press 22, these applicators receiving the leading ends of terminal strips 92, 90, 88, 94, 96 and 98 respectively.

It is essential to note that transfer arms 16 and 18 pivot to reverse or opposite sides of table and towards respective presses and 22 after cutting and stripping of the wire 52 commonly supported by both transfer arms prior to the operation of the cutting and stripping unit 1 9.In general, this places the severed and stripped endof the new lead 6,0 and the leading end 52' of the remaining wire 52 into terminal applying position with respectto the shiftable unit applicatoras semblies and their respective bench presses.

While further reference maybe had to the patents referred to above as to the operation of the machine of the present invention, in general, wire 52 is fedthrough the automatic wire feeding and measuring unit such that the leading end 52' is received by re spective transfer arms 16 and 18, terminal 58 being previously applied by the prior operational cycle of the machine. The extent that the lead terminal extends beyond the eject transfer arm 16, of course, depends upon the measured length of wire 52 "being fed prior to operation of the cut and strip unit 19. For simplicity purposes, it is assumed that with regard to all six applicators, the terminal being crimped to the stripped ends of the trailing end of the several leads 60 and to the leadingend 52' of the unsevered wire 52, are of the open barrel type, wherein the function of the transfer arms 16 and 18 are to rotateabout respective pivot points 112 and 114 from the full line position shown to the dotted line position, FIG. 1, with the bare conductor dropping into the open conductor barrel for respective terminals, and thereafter cyclic depression of the rams of respective presses 20 and 22 causes crimping of the terminals to the lead and wire and severs the leading terminals from the terminal strips. Alternatively, of course, the machine may be used in conjunction with closed barrels in which the transfer arms pullback to strip the wire ends after severing, rotate the transfer arms and go down and then in, once axial alignment occurs between the bare conductor and the closed barrel of the terminal to receive the same, prior to crimping.

Prior to this, under control of the tape control unit 32, a variable length of wire 52 is fed axially through the transfer arms 16 and 18 and the cut and strip unit 19. Reference may be had to U.S. Pat. No. 3,612,369. Wire 52 is pulled off the supply reel 50 and is measured and fed into a loop where it is stored until the machine is ready to feed it through, to position the leading end 52 of the wire as shown in FIG. 1 prior to operation of the cut and strip unit 19. In general, the automatic wire and feed and measuring unit 14, based on U.S. Pat. No. 3,612,369, operates a capstan which frictionally pulls the wire with tension being applied on both sides of the wire and wherein a wheel rotates frictionally as the wire moves to provide electrical pulses which are in turn counted to terminate capstan operation, when a predetermined length of wire is fed. Once each cycle, the loop is then fed out, pulled taut by the feed wheel to the extent of the lead loop, the wire stops, claimping means operate on either side of the cut and strip unit 19 and the wire is then cut and the insulation stripped to each side prior to pivoting of the trailing end of the cut lead and the leading end of the uncut wire by respective transfer arms 16 and 18.

Employing the automatic wire feed and measuring fi ttalzui lead or hsiwitqiaoaq asses be followed by a 120 inch length of wire, if so desired. The automatic wire .feed and measuring unit of course is under the controlof tape unit 32. If the leads are relatively long, the feed motor may be of the variable speed type such that the wires of extreme length may be fed at a faster rate than those of a shorter length, to coincide with the other set portions of the machine cycle, since only a portion of the cycle is allotted to wire feed.

In terms of the wire severance and stripping, it is important only to note that clamping mechanism associated with respective transfer arms 16 and 18 grasp the wire at certain localized areas and the wire is held in a fixed position while severing and stripping occurs simultaneously. Subsequent to this action, the transfer arms rotate in opposite directions on pivot points 112 and 114 respectively to a degree sufficient to pivot the severed and cut wires towards the line of action of the rams for presses and 22, which may be from 25 to 35. In this respect, transfer arm 18 is designated as the feed transfer arm, while transfer arm 16 is designated the eject transfer arm. While the eject and feed transfer arms are similar in operation, they are not identical. In addition, means are provided on the eject transfer arm 16 for ejecting the wire out of the way. The means of accomplishing this function may constitute an air operated finger (not shown) which kicks the wire lead into the nip area between the conveyor belts 62 for discharge in the manner shown. While the conveyor belts 62 are illustrated as delivering the completed wire lead 60 for gravity discharge at the end of the narrow trough 68, this operation may be modified to permit the block loading or inserting the crimped end of the lead into an insulating pot to be ultrasonically welded or otherwise processed.

In the meantime, while the conveyor belts 62 are transferring a completed wire lead 60 having terminals 58 and 66 at opposite ends, the transfer arms 16 and 18 rotate back to an in-line position to receive a given length of wire 52 as defined by the tape control automatic wire feed and measuring unit 14. It is also during this time within the cycle, that the press rams rise and, if necessary, a different applicator is shifted to an inline position with respect to its press 20 or 22.

The present invention is also directed to the improved unit applicators themselves as well as the means for shifting the applicators relative to the press ram. Reference to FIG. 2 illustrates bench press 20 having associated therewith, individual applicators 100, 102, and 104, which are selectively shiftable as an assembly so as to have one unit in alignment with the line of action of the main press ram 116 and Coupled thereto. In that respect, mounted on the table and forming the base of the press 20, is a press base or bed 130 which has fixed to its upper flattened surface, a T-shaped guide block 132. In turn, a sliding plate 134 reciprocates along a horizontal path beneath the press ram 116, the plate 134 including a recess 136, FIG. 8, conforming to the T-shaped guide 132. Drive plate 140 is coupled to plate 134 by screws 143. In turn, the inboard end of plate 140 is pin connected to a movable link or arm 142 via pin 144, the horizontal pivot axis of link 142 being defined by a pin 146 which is coupled to the housing 148 of the bench press 20. Extending outwardly from the same casing 148, above the movable link 142, is a fixed support bracket 150 which, at its outboard end, carries a pin 152 for pivotably supporting cylinder 154 of a first air cylinder or air motor 156, air motor 156 having an extendable piston rod 158 threadably coupled by member 160 to a piston rod 162 extending outwardly from cylinder 164 of a second air cylinder or air motor 166, axially in line therewith. Cylinder 164 is pin coupled at 168 to line 142. Air cylinders 166 and 156 are selectively actuated to move plate 140 to one of three positions and thus place either applicator 100, 102 or 104 in operative alignment with the center line of the press ram and thus in position for actuator ram actuation by the press ram 116. A universal mounting 107 insures reciprocation of ram 116 and especially configured ram head 117 attached thereto.

In FIG. 2, the terminal applicator 104 is shown as being positioned in operative position with respect to the ram 116 in which case, piston rods 158 and 162 are in their retracted position with respect to respective cylinders 154 and 164. This arrangement is schematically illustrated in FIG. 4, in which case the applicators are not illustrated but the center lines of the same are illustrated in broken line fashion. The center line ofapplicator 104 thus conforms to the center line of the press arm 116. The selectivity in position is readily seen by further reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. In FIG. 5, air pressure is delivered to the air cylinders 154 and 164 jointly such that the piston rods 158 and 162 respectively are in their full extended position and in which case, full counterclockwise pivoting ofline 142 occurs, causing plate 140 and the attached slide plate 134 to move to the extreme right hand position, placing applicator 100 centered beneath the press ram 116 and coupled therewith. The horizontal arrow indicates the appropriate shifting direction of coupled plates 134 and 140.

Turning next to FIG. 6, energization of air cylinder 154 without energization of air cylinder 164 results in limited counterclockwise rotation of link 142 and a shift in the unit applicators one position such that applicator moves out from its coupled position of alignment with the center line of the press ram and applicator 102 is now in coupled alignment therewith. Thus, terminal strips 88 are being applied to the trailing end of the severed lead 60 as at 66, in FIGS. 1 and 4, in FIG. 5, terminals from strip 92 are being applied thereto, while in FIG. 6, terminals from strip 90 are being applied to the like end of lead 60. With respect to press 22, the arrangement is identical, and shifting occurs in an identical manner. The versatility of the machine is evident from the above description.

In addition, the present invention is further directed to the individual applicators 100, 102, 104, 106, 108 and l 10, which are identical and which are respectively positioned within the slots 141 of plate and movable therewith. Reference to FIGS. 3 and 7 illustrates one of the unit applicators such as applicator 100 and its mode of operation with respect to the otherwise conventional bench press 20 or 22.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 7, illustrated applicator 100 is identical in all respects to the other five applicators of the illustrated embodiment, and may be readily placed in any applicator position on reciprocating plate 134, that is, within any one of the slots 141 and, in that respect, constituting an easily replaceable assembly. Further, the unit applicators of the present invention operate similarly to the applicator of U.S. Pat. No. 3,l84,950, also assigned to the common assignee. Reference may be had to that patent for a more fuller understanding of the invention, both in regard to its use in conjunction with a conventional bench press or other type of press as well as the cyclic operation of the same in response to reciprocation of the bench press ram 116. In this case, applicator 100 comprises a housing defined principally by side or cover plates 170 and 172 on each side of a cover spacer 174, the plates 170 and 172 being coupled to the spacer 174 by screws 176 while additional screws (not shown) couple plates 170 and 172 to base plate 178. The base plate 178 is configured for positioning within a given slot 141 of the press base plate 134. The position of the same is fixed by means of one or more locking screws 180. As taught by U.S. Pat. No. 3,184,950, applicator ram 182 is guided for vertical motion by a pair of square keys 184 on each side thereof, which are fixed to plates 170 and 172. Ram 182 carries a ram head 186 having a hooked upper end which automatically fits during shifting of the units within a recess 188 formed within the depending portion 117 of the press ram 116. The press is provided with a bed 130 which defines in conjunction with the press ram 116 and the ram extension 117, the shut height. That is, under rotation of the eccentric 120, the press always comes down to the same level. The crimp height or the amount that the barrel section of each terminal of terminal strip 92 is crimped, is defined by the rotary position of an adjusting rod 190 having flat, longitudinally extending pads 197 machined on its surface, the end 194 of the rod extending through a front plate 193 of the applicator ram head 186. Rod 190 is slidably mounted in the ram head 186 and is resiliently biased leftwardly by a spring. A pin on the lefthand end of the rod 190 is received in any one of a plurality of locating holes 195 to lock the rod in a particular selective position. The surface of the individual pads 197 are at different distances from the axis of rotation of the rod 192 so that by rotating rod 192, a change is made in the effective shut height of the press ram. Since the crimp adjusting rod is received within a cylindrical recess within applicator ram head 186, the recess acts as a bearing surface for the adjustably rotatable rod 192.

In similar fashion to patent 3,184,950, the unit applicator 100 is provided with a crimping die 200 for crimping the wire barrel portion of terminal 109, for instance; and a somewhat similar crimping die 202 spaced slightly therefrom, is provided for crimping the insulation crimp portion of the leading terminal of terminal strip 92, the dies 200 and 202 being fixedly coupled in slightly spaced fashion to the reciprocating applicator ram 182 by means of a threaded fastener 204.

- Means are provided for insuring the proper positioning of crimping dies 200 and 202 on the applicator ram to insure proper crimping of the wire and insulation barrel portions of the terminal to the degree desired. The applicator ram 182 further carries a reciprocating shear blade 206 which is coupled to the bottom of applicator ram 182 by a suitable coupling 208, this shear blade cooperating with a pair of shearing blocks 210 and 212 fixedly mounted to the left hand end face of an elongated spacer block 214. The shear blade 206 severs the leading terminal of terminal strip 92 somewhat to the rear of the crimp portion during the downstroke of applicator ram 182.

In order to feed the terminal strip 92 into proper position, a feed track 216 is fixed to the spacer 214 and carries a recess 215 within the upper surface of the same through which the terminal strip 92 passes. ln effecting crimping, a fixed anvil 218 underlies the crimping dies 200 and 202 and is particularly configured to cooperate with the reciprocating dies and perform the desired crimp to the insulation and wire barrels of each terminal 92. A drag plate 220 having upturned ends carries an upstanding U-shaped member 222 through which passes a horizontally oriented pin 224 which defines a pivot connection for a drag release lever 226. Lever 226 is pivotably coupled to side plate 170 by means of pin 228. A coil spring 230 surrounds a centering pin 232 which extends upwardly from the U-shaped member 222, spring 230 therefore biasing the drag plate into contact with the terminal strip 92 which acts as a frictional restraint during feed of the strip 92 in a forward or feed direction during cyclic operation of the machine while preventing retrograde movement and insuring proper positioning of the terminal once advancement of the strip occurs prior to crimping to the inserted lead (not shown).

The present invention is directed to the simplified mechanism for achieving the desired motion to the strip advancing means and to permit adjustment of both the feed stroke and the point of initiation of the stroke of feed finger 234. The basic feed motion is imported by cam surface 236 which goes up and down with the applicator ram 182, and in fact forms a portion of the same. In going up or down, it permits a rotary disc cam follower 238 to longitudinally move a cam follower link or slide 240 carrying the same against the bias of a coil spring 242 positioned within bore 244 of a linkage guide block 246 at the right hand end of the machine. Block 246 is fixed between side plates 170 and 172. A threaded plug 248 permits adjustment of the compression of spring 242. Cam follower link or slide 240 carries intermediate of its ends, a pin 250 which acts as a pivot for a vertical connecting link or cross link 252. The vertical connecting link 252 has elongated slots 254 and 256, respectively, at its upper and lower ends. Upper slot 254 receives pin 258 fixed to horizontal connection link or slide 260, while the lower slot 256 receives pin 262 which fixedly protrudes from the feed finger position adjust link or block 264. Links 260 and 264 lie within slots 266 and 268 respectively of the linkage guide block 246, while the cam follower link or slide 240 lies within a slot 270 intermediate of slots 266 and 268, the three slots being parallel. A stroke position adjustment screw 272 is threaded to linkage guide block 246 with an enlarged headed end 276 engaging link or block 264. The adjustment screw 272 carries a threaded nut 274 which bears against the outside surface of the linkage guide block 246 to maintain screw 272 and the link 264 in fixed position once adjustment is made.

Essentially, any shifting of the cam follower link or slide 240 either to the right or the left as the cam follower 238 follows cam 236 causes link 260 to shift likewise in the same direction. The horizontal connecting link 260 carries a fixed pin 278 to which is pivotably coupled, one end of the finger feed lever 280. The other end of the feed lever 280 pivotably supports the strip feed finger 234 via pin connection 282. Intermediate of the ends of the finger feed lever 280, is a circular projection 284 which is received within a circular hole 286 near one apex of a triangular shaped, stroke adjustment plate 288, the circular hole and the circular projection 284 defining a floating pivot axis for feed lever 280. Pin 290 defines a fixed pivot axis for the stroke adjustment plate 288, pin 290 fixedly extending outwardly from the linkage guide block 246. The triangular stroke adjustment plate, at another apex is provided with an elongated slot 292 which receives pin 294, which projects outwardly from a stroke adjustment nut 296 and is fixed thereto. Nut 296 being threadably carries by a stroke length adjustment screw 298. Screw 298 is mounted for rotation at opposite ends of the linkage guide block 246. Locking screw 300 locks screw 298 after adjustment. Thus, by the use of a screw driver or like tool within slot 304 of the adjustment screw 298, the stroke adjustment nut 296 is reciprocated to the right or left parallel to the path of movement of slide 240 which acts to change the position of the floating pivot for the finger feed lever 280.

While the general operation of the elements thus described is similar to those in the Sitz patent 3,184,950,

the mechanism is simplified and adjustment is readily achieved in terms of the length of stroke of feed finger 230 and the positions of feed finger 230 at the start and finish of each stroke.

Adjustments occur as follows: rotation of stroke length adjustment screw 298 results in moving the stroke adjustment nut or block 296 to the right or left. This causes the triangular stroke adjustment plate 288 to pivot about the axis of relatively fixed pin 290, permitted to do so by the existence of the elongated slot 292. For instance, moving nut 296 to the right in F I08. 3 and 7 tends to pivot the plate 288 clockwise about pivot pin 290, moving the floating pivot axis defined by the hole 286 and the circular projection 284 closer to the fixed pivot axis defined by pin 262, thereby decreasing that radius. If there is an increase in that radius, the stroke is decreased. It is noted that the slide or link 260 always carries the same amount of stroke which is dependent upon configuration of the cam 236, thus while adjustment screw 298 permits adjustment of the length of stroke of the feed finger 234, it is adjustment screw 272 which provides the fine adjustment or stroke position. That is, it defines the initial position of the finger at the start of the stroke and thus determines the position of the leading terminal of the strip at the end of the stroke. Its function is therefore to correctly position the terminal with respect to the crimp tooling, once the stroke itself has been determined by adjustment of screw 298. This insures accurate location of each successive terminal beneath the crimping dies and the shear blade. Obviously, turning screw 298 such that the stroke adjustment nut 296 shifts to the left rather than the right, lowers the pivot axis of the feed lever 280 and moves it further away from the axis defined by pin 262, increasing the radius therebetween and therefore decreasing the stroke of the feed finger 234. Cam follower 238 causes reciprocation to link 240 within its guide slot 270 and since pin 262 is fixed at the proper finger position adjustment point determined by screw 272, block 264 does not move. However, horizontal link 260 reciprocates as a multiple of the motion of the cam follower link 240 and drives the feed finger in a stroke whose length is defined in particular by the position of stroke length adjustment nut 296. Since position adjustment screw 272 merely defines the initial position prior to movement by the cam follower following cam surface 236, the stroke is repetitive from a preset initial position with the feed finger 234 cyclically returning to the position shown in FIGS. 3 and 7 for feeding of the next of succeeding terminal of the strip 92. In similar fashion to U. S. Pat. 3,l84,950 means are provided to insure that the leading terminal 190 of a terminal strip 92 is in proper position prior to the cyclic operation of the machine and, assuming proper adjustments are made to screws 272 and 298, sequential intermittent feed of the terminal strip 92 occurs with proper sequential positioning ofa terminal in a position for crimping by crimping dies 200 and 202 and shearing by shear blade 206. ln this respect, operation of the applicator is quite similar to US. Pat. No. 3,184,950, each of the applicators is properly preset with respect to the length of terminal and desired stroke for all six terminal strips prior to operation of the machine. It is seen that through the tape control mechanism 32, selection of one of a plurality of terminals are made of each for each cyclic operation of the machine, both for the leading and trailing ends of the formed leads 60 by properly positioning a selected unit applicator of each assembly 24 and 26 in alignment with and operatively coupled to the respective press ram, and at the same time through the tape control mechanism 32, a predetermined length of wire constituting the length of the desired lead is measured and positioned within the aligned transfer arms prior to cutting and stripping. Sequential machine cycles may be had in which both the types of terminals and the length of the lead may be readily varied within wide limits, providing a multi-lead harness of various types of leads without the necessity of stockpiling a great number of identical leads and manual selection of the same from the storage bins. Shut down time of the machine is greatly reduced and the versatility of the machine is readily enhanced.

Changes in construction will occur to those skilled in the art and various apparently different modification and embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of this invention. The matters set forth in the foregoing description and accompanying drawings are offered by way of illustration only. The actual scope of the invention is intended to be defined in the following claims when viewed in their proper perspective against the prior art.

What is claimed is:

1. In a continuously operable lead making machine including; a wire supply, at least one press including a depressable ram, wire cutting and stripping means, means for feeding a measured length of wire into said wire cutting and stripping means, and transfer means for placing the cut and stripped end of said wire beneath said press ram, the improvement comprising:

a plurality of press ram operated unit terminal applicators movably mounted on said machine, each said applicator being capable of presenting a leading terminal ofa respective terminal strip in a position for crimping said terminal onto the cut and stripped end of said wire,

means for selectively positioning one of said applicators in operative position with respect to said press ram and in position to receive said wire end, and

automatic format control means for variably controlling the length of the wire being fed to the wire cutting and stripping means, thereby defining the length of each lead being manufactured by said machine, and for variably selecting the applicator to be operatively positioned with respect to said press ram.

2. The machine as claimed in claim 1, comprising a horizontal table, and wherein; said means for feeding a measured length of wire, said cutting and stripping means and said transfer means are in alignment across the top of said table, each press is positioned to the side of the wire feed line, said transfer arms means acts to shift said out and stripped end of said wire to a position beneath said press ram, means associated with said press slidably positions said plurality of unit applicators in vertically oriented, side-by-side fashion for movement across the center line of the press ram, and wherein said positioning means shift said unit applicators as a group across the center line of said ram to place a selected applicator in operative alignment with said press ram.

3. The machine as claimed in claim 2, wherein; each press comprises a fixed bed, fixed longitudinally extending guide means project upwardly from said bed, a slidable plate is mounted on said guide means for reciprocation along a horizontal path intersecting the center line of the press ram, said unit terminal applicators are fixedly carried by said reciprocating plate, each applicator includes a vertically extending applicator ram, a lever is pivotably coupled at one end to said plate, a plurality of reciprocating fluid motors are operatively coupled together and to the other end of said pivoted lever, said lever is pivotably mounted for pivoting about an axis intermediate of its ends, and means are provided for selectively energizing said fluid motors to variably shift said slidable plate, to position, in a selective manner, a given applicator ram in line with the center line of the press ram for depressible engagement therewith.

4. The machine as claimed in claim 3, wherein said pivotable lever is L-shaped, is pivoted at its center for oscillation about a horizontal axis, said fluid motors comprise a plurality of vertically oriented air cylinders constituting an in-line array mechanically coupled together by their extendable pistons, one end of said array is fixedly located and the other end pivotably coupled to the end of the lever not coupled to the horizontal slidable plate.

5. The machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein a pair of presses are vertically oriented on a horizontal table in laterally spaced position, said wire supply, said wire cutting and stripping means, said means for feeding a measured length of wire into said wire cutting and stripping means, and said transfer means are in alignment across the top of said table and positioned between said presses, said transfer means comprises individual feed and eject transfer arms on said opposite sides of said cutting and stripping means, said feed and eject transfer arms act to shift respectively, said cut and stripped ends of the newly formed lead and the leading end of the remaining wire from the supply to a position beneath respective press rams, and means associated with said presses slidably position said plurality of vertically oriented, side-by-side applicators for simultaneous movement along a path passing through the center line of said ram and beneath the same, and wherein said means for selectively positioning one of said applicators in operative position with respect to the press ram comprises means shifting said applicators as a group to place a selected applicator in operative alignment with said press ram.

6. The machine as claimed in claim 5, wherein; each press comprises a fixed bed, fixed longitudinal guide means project upwardly from said bed, a slidable plate is mounted on said guide means for reciprocation along a horizontal path intersecting the center line of said press ram, said plurality of unit terminal applicators are fixedly carried by said reciprocating plate, each terminal applicator includes a vertically extending, reciprocable applicator ram, a lever is pivotably coupled to one end of said plate and pivots about a fixed pivot axis intermediate of its ends and is pivotably coupled at the opposite end to a plurality of reciprocating fluid motors which are operatively coupled to each other and said means for selectively positioning one of said applicators in operative position with respect to said press ram, comprises means for selectively energizing said fluid motors to variably shift said slidable plate to position in a given applicator ram in line with the center line of the press ram for depressible engagement therewith.

7. The machine as claimed in claim 6, wherein; said pivotable lever is L-shaped in configuration, is pivoted at its center for oscillation about a horizontal axis, a plurality of vertically oriented air cylinders are mechanically coupled together in an in-line array by means of their extendable pistons, and one end of the array of air cylinders is fixedly located with respect to said machine and the other end is pivotably coupled to the end of the lever not coupled to said horizontally slidable plate.

8. In a terminal applicator operatively positioned with respect to a press ram and having at least one reciprocable crimping die responsive to reciprocation of an applicator ram for crimping a terminal to an electrical lead positioned between the crimping die and a fixed anvil, and a reciprocable feed finger for feeding the leading terminal of the terminal strip into position between said reciprocable crimping die and said anvil in response to lateral shifting of a cam follower slide relative to a cam carried by the reciprocating applicator ram, the improvement comprising:

means comprising a pair of slidable link members positioned on each side of said cam follower slide,

a cross link pivotably coupled to said cam follower slide intermediate of its ends and pin connected to said sliding links at respective ends,

means for fixing the position of one of said slidable links to define a relatively fixed pivot axis for said cross link,

a feed lever pivotably coupled at one end to said feed finger and at the other end to said other slidable link,

a triangular stroke adjustment plate pivotably mounted at a point adjacent one apex to define a fixed pivot axis for said plate,

means carried adjacent another apex of said triangular stroke adjustment plate pivotably coupled to said feed lever intermediate of its ends to define a floating pivot axis for said feed lever,

a longitudinally shiftable nut movable in a direction along a path parallel to the path of motion of said cam follower slide,

pin and slot means carried by said triangular stroke adjustment plate adjacent the third apex of the same for coupling said adjustable nut to said plate, and

first adjustment means operatively coupled to said nut for adjusting the longitudinal position of said adjusting nut for changing the stroke of the feed finger.

9. The terminal applicator as claimed in claim 8, further comprising second stroke position adjustment means for adjusting the longitudinal position of said one slidable link to define the initial start and finish position of said cyclically reciprocable feed finger.

10. The terminal applicator as claimed in claim 9, wherein said cam follower slide reciprocates within a first longitudinally extending slot formed within a linkage guide block with said first slot being at right angles to the axis of the reciprocating applicator ram, said slidable links are positioned for movement along parallel paths within respective second and third slots on each side of the slot carrying said follower slide, said first adjustment means includes a stroke length adjusting nut threadably carried by a screw mounted for rotation on said linkage guide block with said screw extending parallel to and to one side of said first slot and coupled to said nut and said second adjustment means comprises a finger position screw which is threadably carried by said linkage guide block and engages said second slidable link.

11. The terminal applicator as claimed in claim 10, wherein; said fixed pivot axis for said triangular adjustment plate comprises a pin fixed to the side of said linkage guide block and extending outwardly therefrom and outboard said third slot receiving said second slidable link, with said pin pivotably supporting said triangular stroke adjustment plate adjacent one apex of the same, a circular opening is formed adjacent another apex along a side of said triangular adjustment plate common to said pin and receives a circular projection extending outwardly from the feed finger lever intermediate of its ends, and an elongated slot is carried by said plate extending generally along the other side common to said pin with said elongated slot receiving the pin fixed to the side of said stroke adjustment nut and extending outwardly therefrom.

12. An apparatus for selectively applying one of several terminals to the end of a wire comprising:

a press including a reciprocable ram and a press bed, 5

13. The apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein fixed longitudinally extending guide means project upwardly from said bed, a slidable plate is mounted on said guide means for reciprocation along a horizontal path intersecting the center line of said press ram, said terminal applicators are fixedly supported on said reciprocating plate in side-by-side relationship, a lever is pivotably coupled at one end of said plate, is mounted for pivoting about an axis intermediate of its ends, and is pivotably coupled at the other end to a plurality of reciprocating fluid motors which are selectively energizable to variably shift said slidable plate and to thereby position in a selective manner, a given applicator ram in line with the center line of the press ram and in depressible engagement therewith.

14. The apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein said lever is L-shaped, is pivotably mounted at its center for movement about a horizontal axis, said fluid motors comprise two vertically oriented air cylinders constituting an in-line array mechanically coupled together by respective extendable pistons and wherein one end of said array is fixedly located and the other end is pivotably coupled to the end of said lever not coupled to said horizontal slidable plate. 

1. In a continuously operable lead making machine including; a wire supply, at least one press including a depressable ram, wire cutting and stripping means, means for feeding a measured length of wire into said wire cutting and stripping means, and transfer means for placing the cut and stripped end of said wire beneath said press ram, the improvement comprising: a plurality of press ram operated unit terminal applicators movably mounted on said machine, each said applicator being capable of presenting a leading terminal of a respective terminal strip in a position for crimping said terminal onto the cut and stripped end of said wire, means for selectively positioning one of said applicators in operative position with respect to said press ram and in position to receive said wire end, and automatic format control means for variably controlling the length of the wire being fed to the wire cutting and stripping means, thereby defining the length of each lead being manufactured by said machine, and for variably selecting the applicator to be operatively positioned with respect to said press ram.
 2. The machine as claimed in claim 1, comprising a horizontal table, and wherein; said means for feeding a measured length of wire, said cutting and stripping means and said transfer means are in alignment across the top of said table, each press is positioned to the side of the wire feed line, said transfer arms means acts to shift said cut and stripped end of said wire to a position beneath said press ram, means associated with said press slidably positions said plurality of unit applicators in vertically oriented, side-by-side fashion for movement across the center line of the press ram, and wherein said positioning means shift said unit applicators as a group across the center line of said ram to place a selected applicator in operative alignment with said press ram.
 3. The machine as claimed in claim 2, wherein; each press comprises a fixed bed, fixed longitudinally extending guide means project upwardly from said bed, a slidable plate is mounted on said guide means for reciprocation along a horizontal path intersecting the center line of the press ram, said unit terminal applicators are fixedly carried by said reciprocating plate, each applicator includes a vertically extending applicator ram, a lever is pivotably coupled at one end to said plate, a plurality of reciprocating fluid motors are operatively coupled together and to the other end of said pivoted lever, said lever is pivotably mounted for pivoting about an axis intermediate of its ends, and means are provided for selectively energizing said fluid motors to variably shift said slidable plate, to position, in a selective manner, a given applicator ram in line with the center line of the press ram for depressible engagement therewith.
 4. The machine as claimed in claim 3, wherein said pivotable lever is L-shaped, is pivoted at its center for oscillation about a horizontal axis, said fluid motors comprise a plurality of vertically oriented air cylinders constituting an in-line array mechanically coupled together by their extendable pistons, one end of said array is fixedly located and the other end pivotably coupled to the end of the lever not coupled to the horizontal slidable plate.
 5. The machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein a pair of presses are vertically oriented on a horizontal table in laterally spaced position, said wire supply, said wire cutting and stripping means, said means for feeding a measured length of wire into said wire cutting and stripping means, and said transfer means are in alignment across the top of said table and positioned between said presses, said transfer means comprises individual feed and eject transfer arms on said opposite sides of said cutting and stripping means, said feed and eject transfer arms act to shift respectively, said cut and stripped ends of the newly formed lead and the leading end of the remaining wire from the supply to a position beneath respective press rams, and means associated with said presses slidably position said plurality of vertically oriented, side-by-side applicators for simultaneous movement along a path passing through the center line of said ram and beneath the same, and wherein said means for selectively positioning one of said applicators in operative position with respect to the press ram comprises means shifting said applicators as a group to place a selected applicator in operative alignment with said press ram.
 6. The machine as claimed in claim 5, wherein; each press comprises a fixed bed, fixed longitudinal guide means project upwardly from said bed, a slidable plate is mounted on said guide means for reciprocation along a horizontal path intersecting the center line of said press ram, said plurality of unit terminal applicators are fixedly carried by said reciprocating plate, each terminal applicator includes a vertically extending, reciprocable applicator ram, a lever is pivotably coupled to one end of said plate and pivots about a fixed pivot axis intermediate of its ends and is pivotably coupled at the opposite end to a plurality of reciprocating fluid motors which are operatively coupled to each other and said means for selectively positioning one of said applicators in operative position with respect to said press ram, comprises means for selectively energizing said fluid motors to variably shift said slidable plate to position in a given applicator ram in line with the center line of the press ram for depressible engagement therewith.
 7. The machine as claimed in claim 6, wherein; said pivotable lever is L-shaped in configuration, is pivoted at its center for oscillation about a horizontal axis, a plurality of vertically oriented air cylinders are mechanically coupled together in an in-line array by means of their extendable pistons, and one end of the array of air cylinders is fixedly located with respect to said machine and the other end is pivotably coupled to the end of the lever not coupled to said horizontally slidable plate.
 8. In a terminal applicator operatively positioned with respect to a press ram and having at least one reciprocable crimping die responsive to reciprocation of an applicator ram for crimping a terminal to an electrical lead positioned between the crimping die and a fixed anvil, and a reciprocable feed finger for feeding the leading terminal of the terminal strip into position between said reciprocable crimping die and said anvil in response to lateral shifting of a cam follower slide relative to a cam carried by the reciprocating applicator ram, the improvement comprising: means comprising a pair of slidable link members positioned on each side of said cam follower slide, a cross link pivotably coupled to said cam follower slide intermediate of its ends and pin connected to said sliding links at respective ends, means for fixing the position of one of said slidable links to define a relatively fixed pivot axis for said cross link, a feed lever pivotably coupled at one end to said feed finger and at the other end to said other slidable link, a triangular stroke adjustment plate pivotably mounted at a point adjacent one apex to define a fixed pivot axis for said plate, means carried adjacent another apex of said triangular stroke adjustment plate pivotably coupled to said feed lever intermediate of Its ends to define a floating pivot axis for said feed lever, a longitudinally shiftable nut movable in a direction along a path parallel to the path of motion of said cam follower slide, pin and slot means carried by said triangular stroke adjustment plate adjacent the third apex of the same for coupling said adjustable nut to said plate, and first adjustment means operatively coupled to said nut for adjusting the longitudinal position of said adjusting nut for changing the stroke of the feed finger.
 9. The terminal applicator as claimed in claim 8, further comprising second stroke position adjustment means for adjusting the longitudinal position of said one slidable link to define the initial start and finish position of said cyclically reciprocable feed finger.
 10. The terminal applicator as claimed in claim 9, wherein said cam follower slide reciprocates within a first longitudinally extending slot formed within a linkage guide block with said first slot being at right angles to the axis of the reciprocating applicator ram, said slidable links are positioned for movement along parallel paths within respective second and third slots on each side of the slot carrying said follower slide, said first adjustment means includes a stroke length adjusting nut threadably carried by a screw mounted for rotation on said linkage guide block with said screw extending parallel to and to one side of said first slot and coupled to said nut and said second adjustment means comprises a finger position screw which is threadably carried by said linkage guide block and engages said second slidable link.
 11. The terminal applicator as claimed in claim 10, wherein; said fixed pivot axis for said triangular adjustment plate comprises a pin fixed to the side of said linkage guide block and extending outwardly therefrom and outboard said third slot receiving said second slidable link, with said pin pivotably supporting said triangular stroke adjustment plate adjacent one apex of the same, a circular opening is formed adjacent another apex along a side of said triangular adjustment plate common to said pin and receives a circular projection extending outwardly from the feed finger lever intermediate of its ends, and an elongated slot is carried by said plate extending generally along the other side common to said pin with said elongated slot receiving the pin fixed to the side of said stroke adjustment nut and extending outwardly therefrom.
 12. An apparatus for selectively applying one of several terminals to the end of a wire comprising: a press including a reciprocable ram and a press bed, at least two substantially identical terminal applicators mounted on said press bed for simultaneous movement as a single assembly across said bed, each applicator having a reciprocable applicator ram and means for coupling said applicator ram to said press ram, said coupling means including means permitting sliding of said applicator rams relative to said press ram during movement of said applicators, and means for shifting said assembly of applicators to selectively position one applicator beneath and coupled to the press ram by its respective applicator ram.
 13. The apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein fixed longitudinally extending guide means project upwardly from said bed, a slidable plate is mounted on said guide means for reciprocation along a horizontal path intersecting the center line of said press ram, said terminal applicators are fixedly supported on said reciprocating plate in side-by-side relationship, a lever is pivotably coupled at one end of said plate, is mounted for pivoting about an axis intermediate of its ends, and is pivotably coupled at the other end to a plurality of reciprocating fluid motors which are selectively energizable to variably shift said slidable plate and to thereby position in a selective manner, a given applicator ram in line with the center line of the press ram and in depressible engagement therewith.
 14. The apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein said lever is L-shaped, is pivotably mounted at its center for movement about a horizontal axis, said fluid motors comprise two vertically oriented air cylinders constituting an in-line array mechanically coupled together by respective extendable pistons and wherein one end of said array is fixedly located and the other end is pivotably coupled to the end of said lever not coupled to said horizontal slidable plate. 